Huawei nova 12i vs Google Pixel 9 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 16, 2024 August 22, 2024
Release Year 2024 2024

Physical

Volume 102.47 cm³ 93.51 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.37 "/g 3.18 "/g
Weight 199 g 198 g
Height 163.3 mm 152.8 mm
Width 74.7 mm 72 mm
Thickness 8.4 mm 8.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • White
  • Green
  • Obsidian
  • Porcelain
  • Wintergreen
  • Peony

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.3 "
Resolution 1080 x 2388 1080 x 2424
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.1 % 86.5 %
Pixel Density 391 PPI 422 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1800 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 2700 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 118.42 mAh/in²
Battery Density 48.8 mAh/cm³ 50.26 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4700 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) Google Tensor G4 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 610 Mali-G715 MC7

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 3.2

Software

Operating System N/A Android
Initial OS Version N/A 14
Maximum OS Version 21

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureHuawei nova 12iGoogle Pixel 9Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mmPixel 9 is noticeably smaller and narrower, making it easier to hold and pocket.
Weight199g198gNegligible weight difference.
Build MaterialsNot specifiedNot specifiedCannot compare build quality and durability.
Display
Display TypeIPS LCDOLEDPixel 9's OLED offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and potentially better power efficiency.
Display Size6.7"6.3"Nova 12i provides a larger viewing area for media consumption, while Pixel 9 is more compact.
Resolution1080 x 23881080 x 2424Similar pixel density, but Pixel 9 is slightly sharper due to a smaller screen size.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzPixel 9 offers smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience.
Peak BrightnessNot specified2700 nitsPixel 9's significantly higher peak brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility. Missing Nova 12i brightness limits comparison.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 680 4G (6nm)Google Tensor G4 (4nm)Tensor G4 offers significantly better performance and power efficiency due to its more advanced architecture and smaller process node.
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520)Pixel 9's CPU boasts higher clock speeds and a more modern architecture, leading to much faster processing in demanding tasks and multitasking.
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G715 MC7Pixel 9's GPU is considerably more powerful, delivering smoother gaming and faster graphics rendering.
RAM8GB12GBPixel 9's larger RAM enables better multitasking and smoother performance with multiple apps open.
Storage256GB256GBBoth phones offer the same storage capacity.
Camera
Rear CameraNot specifiedNot specifiedCamera quality cannot be compared without detailed sensor specifications.
Video Capabilities1080p@30fpsUp to 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fpsPixel 9 offers significantly superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution, frame rates, and likely better stabilization (OIS/EIS mentioned).
Battery
Capacity5000 mAh4700 mAhWhile Nova 12i has a slightly larger battery, Pixel 9's more efficient processor might result in comparable or even better battery life.
Charging SpeedNot specifiedNot specifiedCharging speed comparison is not possible.
Software
OSNot specifiedAndroid 14Pixel 9 runs the latest Android version with guaranteed updates, offering the latest features and security patches. Nova 12i's OS is unknown, limiting comparison.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Huawei nova 12i Advantages:

  • Larger Display: Provides a more immersive experience for media consumption.

Google Pixel 9 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU for smooth multitasking and gaming.
  • Better Display Quality: OLED technology offers richer colors and deeper blacks. Higher refresh rate and brightness significantly improve user experience.
  • More RAM: Enables smoother multitasking and handles demanding applications better.
  • Advanced Video Recording: Captures higher resolution and frame rate videos.
  • Latest Software: Runs Android 14 with guaranteed updates for security and features.

Trade-offs:

  • Pixel 9's smaller battery: While potentially offset by efficiency, heavy users might prefer the Nova 12i's larger battery capacity. This depends on real-world usage and optimization.
  • Nova 12i's larger size: May be less pocketable and harder to use one-handed.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Huawei nova 12i: Users on a tighter budget who prioritize a large display for media consumption and basic tasks.

Google Pixel 9: Users who value performance, a premium display, the latest software, frequent updates, and advanced camera features. Suitable for demanding tasks, gaming, and content creation.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget?
  2. What are your primary smartphone usage patterns (e.g., gaming, social media, photography)?
  3. How important is software updates and longevity?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget-conscious user primarily for social media and browsing: Nova 12i might be sufficient.
  • Power user who needs top-tier performance and the latest features: Pixel 9 is the clear choice.
  • Photographer/Videographer: Pixel 9, due to its superior video capabilities (assuming its camera hardware is also superior, based on Pixel history). However, detailed camera specs are needed for definitive recommendation.
Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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